The inadequacy of the essential fatty acid content of present preterm feeds.
Arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are major components of endothelial, pulmonary and neuro-visual cell membranes. Preterm babies may be born with deficits of both AA and DHA. There is evidence that their endogenous anti-oxidant enzymes defence systems have only reached half the activity expected at term. Yet they are exposed to an oxygen tension greater than physiologically anticipated at this time, and the superoxide dismutase shows no evidence of significant catch-up. After birth, present enteral and parenteral feeds for the preterm baby result in a further drop of AA and DHA plasma proportions to a quarter or third of the intra-uterine expectation. At the same time, the proportion of linoleic acid (LA), the precursor for AA, rises in the plasma phosphoglycerides four-fold, thus denying the preterm infant the provision with which the placenta would have perfused the fetus to meet the very rapid demand for endothelial and neural growth. From the biochemistry it is predictable that this situation could lead to fragile cell membranes, leakage, rupture with peroxidation resulting in the formation of inflammatory and vasoconstrictive agents.


CONCLUSIONS
The essential fatty acid content of current enteral and parenteral feeds for preterm infants is incorrectly formulated.
Crawford
M A
MA
The Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition, University of North London, UK. michael@macrawf.demon.co.uk
Costeloe
K
K
Ghebremeskel
K
K
Phylactos
A
A
D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000032:analysis* / Q000172:deficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis*; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids